made him nervous. He didn’t doubt she could hold her own, but he still worried about her wellbeing. The door opened quietly and he stayed where he was, Sam by his side, straining to hear any sounds coming from inside. Nothing.
Sam started forward and Mason allowed the door to close behind them. It was unfortunate, but he didn’t have a choice but to use his flashlight. He pushed the rubber-covered button while following its beam with his weapon, holding the small metal light aloft to illuminate as wide an area as possible. He swept both items in a full circle, casing the interior of the rest stop. The entryway contained vending machines and map holders, with two doors on either side of the small building indicating they were restrooms for both sexes.
The beige and black tile floor appeared to be more like marble and the beam of Mason’s flashlight bounced off of it glaringly. Sam’s head tilted and it wasn’t long before he produced a low growl. Mason didn’t want to take off their masks for fear they would need to make a quick exit, but using it inside a building where he needed the advantage wasn’t conducive to a search.
Mason leaned down and stroked Sam’s back, letting him know his warning had been heeded. He drew his gasmask over his face, removing it in one quick motion and ever so quietly attaching it to his belt before doing the same with Sam’s. The dog didn’t take time to paw at his nose in relief. As a matter of fact, he never took his penetrating gaze off of the men’s restroom. Someone was in there. The question remained—how many people?
Mason never had the pleasure of working with the K9s, but Sam had worked on Brenna’s farm since he was a puppy and clearly understood specific commands as well as gestures. He made a good partner and Mason laid his palm flat so that Sam understood he still needed to hold back. Mason grimaced slightly when he stood, his left thigh muscle feeling the strain of his weight, and he crossed the cold floor until he reached the restroom.
“You come through that door and I’ll put a bullet straight through your head,” a deep voice called out loud enough that not even the cheap wood of the door muffled his words. “Trust me. I won’t miss.”
Assertive. Maybe a cop, considering he had given a fair warning. Could be military. And judging by the hitch in his voice he was weak—most likely hurt from the sound of it. Mason could deal with all those scenarios.
“We’re not looking to cause trouble,” Mason answered warily, continuing to keep and eye on Sam while scanning the interior of the building. No one else appeared to be inside, but he wasn’t one hundred percent positive this tango didn’t have a partner. “We need a place to rest for a few hours. Is that going to be a problem?”
Mason waited while looking back over his shoulder toward the glass doors. The ash kept him from seeing anything through the tinted glass more than a dozen yards out and the power grid supplying electricity to this rest stop had definitely gone out at some point. He was truly surprised that more stranded motorists weren’t holed up here, but then again, this rest stop was a bit out of the way. He didn’t like bringing the horses inside with someone else in the vicinity seeing as the animals made them targets, but it wasn’t like any of them had a choice right now. Brenna was exhausted and the horses needed water.
“You leave me alone and I’ll return the favor.”
Mason wasn’t instilled with confidence that would be the case, but it would do for now. He’d be sleeping with one eye open or not at all. He motioned for Sam to guard the door, not wanting there to be an ambush while he was signaling for Brenna to bring the horses inside. He stayed where he was, leaning against a water fountain, and quietly waited for just a few more moments…just to be on the safe side.
*
Too much time had passed. There was something wrong. This waiting was like being trapped inside
Sam started forward and Mason allowed the door to close behind them. It was unfortunate, but he didn’t have a choice but to use his flashlight. He pushed the rubber-covered button while following its beam with his weapon, holding the small metal light aloft to illuminate as wide an area as possible. He swept both items in a full circle, casing the interior of the rest stop. The entryway contained vending machines and map holders, with two doors on either side of the small building indicating they were restrooms for both sexes.
The beige and black tile floor appeared to be more like marble and the beam of Mason’s flashlight bounced off of it glaringly. Sam’s head tilted and it wasn’t long before he produced a low growl. Mason didn’t want to take off their masks for fear they would need to make a quick exit, but using it inside a building where he needed the advantage wasn’t conducive to a search.
Mason leaned down and stroked Sam’s back, letting him know his warning had been heeded. He drew his gasmask over his face, removing it in one quick motion and ever so quietly attaching it to his belt before doing the same with Sam’s. The dog didn’t take time to paw at his nose in relief. As a matter of fact, he never took his penetrating gaze off of the men’s restroom. Someone was in there. The question remained—how many people?
Mason never had the pleasure of working with the K9s, but Sam had worked on Brenna’s farm since he was a puppy and clearly understood specific commands as well as gestures. He made a good partner and Mason laid his palm flat so that Sam understood he still needed to hold back. Mason grimaced slightly when he stood, his left thigh muscle feeling the strain of his weight, and he crossed the cold floor until he reached the restroom.
“You come through that door and I’ll put a bullet straight through your head,” a deep voice called out loud enough that not even the cheap wood of the door muffled his words. “Trust me. I won’t miss.”
Assertive. Maybe a cop, considering he had given a fair warning. Could be military. And judging by the hitch in his voice he was weak—most likely hurt from the sound of it. Mason could deal with all those scenarios.
“We’re not looking to cause trouble,” Mason answered warily, continuing to keep and eye on Sam while scanning the interior of the building. No one else appeared to be inside, but he wasn’t one hundred percent positive this tango didn’t have a partner. “We need a place to rest for a few hours. Is that going to be a problem?”
Mason waited while looking back over his shoulder toward the glass doors. The ash kept him from seeing anything through the tinted glass more than a dozen yards out and the power grid supplying electricity to this rest stop had definitely gone out at some point. He was truly surprised that more stranded motorists weren’t holed up here, but then again, this rest stop was a bit out of the way. He didn’t like bringing the horses inside with someone else in the vicinity seeing as the animals made them targets, but it wasn’t like any of them had a choice right now. Brenna was exhausted and the horses needed water.
“You leave me alone and I’ll return the favor.”
Mason wasn’t instilled with confidence that would be the case, but it would do for now. He’d be sleeping with one eye open or not at all. He motioned for Sam to guard the door, not wanting there to be an ambush while he was signaling for Brenna to bring the horses inside. He stayed where he was, leaning against a water fountain, and quietly waited for just a few more moments…just to be on the safe side.
*
Too much time had passed. There was something wrong. This waiting was like being trapped inside
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